Filter apparatus



March 1, 1966 HUMBERT, JR 3,237,770

FILTER APPARATUS Filed March 6, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. K/hys/ey Humberzdn ATTORNEY- FILTER APPARATUS Filed March 6, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR I2 AMys/ey E. Humbert dr.

A TTORNEVI United States Patent 0 3,237,770 FHLTER APPARATUS Kingsley E. Humbert, 3 Gardenia, N.C., assignor to Win Qorporation, Gastouia, Nail, a corporation oi North Carolina Filed Mar. 6, 1963, tier. No. 2%,233 5' tilaims. (U. Zlfi-9d) The present invention relates to a new and novel filter apparatus and more particularly to filter apparatus which is especially adapted to be employed with gasoline pumps.

The filter apparatus of the present invention is of the type employing a removable cartridge which is adapted to be replaced from time to time. It is a particular object of the invention to provide a filter arrangement wherein the surrounding casing or enclosure portion for the filter means is transparent so that a person can readily view the interior of the filter and observe the gasoline passing therethrough in a case where the device is mounted on a gasoline pump.

The apparatus of the present invention would serve as a final filtering means in the fiow of gas into the automobile or other vehicle, and it is considered highly desirale to provide such an arrangement wherein the gasoline will be readily visible to the purchaser.

Since the filter apparatus of the present invention will be mounted directly in a gas line and further since it will be mounted in an exterior location such that it can be readily viewed, it is additionally necesary to provide an arrangement which will render the device substantially tamper-proof, or in other words, means must be provided which will make it ditficult if not impossible to tamper with the device so as to remove gasoline without the provision of a special liey or some other type of tool which may be required for disassembling the apparatus.

In accomplishing the above objective, it is also important to provide an arrangement which is of a relatively simple construction, and which employs a minimum of components. In this connection, it is particularly desirable to eliminate the necessity of providing a long screw which is normally required for holding the filter apparatus in assembled relationship when a removable cartridge type apparatus is employed. With the arrangement of the present invention, all of the parts are readily visible, and assembly thereof can be carried out in a minimum amount of time in a fool-proof manner.

Several different modifications are illustrated herein and in the first two a locking device which may be in the form of a conventional padlock or the like is employed, this locking device serving to prevent unauthorized disassembly of the apparatus to gain access to the gasoline within the filter apparatus.

In a further modified form of the invention, a headed bolt is employed, this headed bolt having a smooth outer periphery which discourages removal thereof, the head of the bolt being provided with recessed portions adapted to receive a spanner wrench or a similar tool. It is accordingly apparent that in each modification of the invention it is necessary to provide either a key or a suitable tool for disassemblin the apparatus thereby rendering the device substantially tamper-proof as a practical matter.

An object of the present invention is to provide new and novel filter apparatus of the replaceable cartridge type which is particularly adapted for use with gasoline pumps.

Another object of the invention is the provision of filter apparatus incorporating means to afford visibility of the interior therethrough such that one can readily observe the gasoline flowing through the filter.

A further object of the invention is to provide filter apparatus which incorporates a tamper-proof arrangement which prevents unauthorized disassembly of the apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of filter apparatus employing a minimum of components and especially which eliminates the necessity of providing a long screw which must ordinarily be inserted in operative position while not under observation.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide filter apparatus which is simple and inexpensive in construction, and yet which is sturdy, efficient and reliable in use.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top prospective view of filter apparatus accordin to the present invention;

PEG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the device shown in FIG. 1 and illustrates a first modification of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the interrelationship of the components of the apparatus shown in FlGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through a second modification of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a View similar to FIG. 4- illustrating a still further modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views there is shown in 1168. 1-3 a first modification of the invention wherein the body means is indicated generally by reference numeral it). The body means comprises a one-piece aluminum impact extrusion, aluminum being preferable material due to its light weight and desirable qualities in contact with gasoline or similar substances.

The extrusion includes an upper portion indicated by reference numeral 11 which is an elongated body portion of substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration within which the inlet and outlet means of the present invention is formed. This enlarged portion is in turn connected with a disc-like portion from which depends an integral outer peripheral flange 12 and a central portion 13 which is hollow throughout the major extent thereof, the lowermost portion of central portion 13 as indicated by reference numeral 15 being a solid portion within which suitable passages are drilled as hereinafter set forth.

A pair of inlet openings 17 and 18 are drilled and tapped into the body means and into communication with a cavity 19 formed in the manufacture of the extrusion. The pair of outlet openings 22 and 23 are also drilled and tapped in the body means and provide communication with the cavity 24 formed in the extrusion during manufacture thereof, the cavity 24 being in communication with the depending central portion 13 which is hollow throughout its major extent.

The upper central portion of the body means is provided with threads 'hich threadably receive a plug member 26 having a recessed portion 27 therein for receiving an end wrench or similar tool.

The depending central portion 13 of the body means is provided with a first pair of diametrically opposite drilled holes 2 8 and a second pair of diametrically opposite drilled holes 29, these holes 28 and 29 providing communication with the interior of this hollow portion and thereby with the outlet means. It will be noted that by providing the inlet means and outlet means in angularly spaced relationship With one another as illustrated in the drawings, the device is afforded a maximum degree of versatility since suitable fluid lines can be connected at various angles with the inlet and outlet means.

This enables the device to be mounted in many difierent locations and postions as may be required.

The lowermost portion of the depending central portion of the body means is provided with a circumferentially extending groove 32. which is in communication with a vertically extending passageway 33, the end of which is threaded and which receives a threaded plug 35. These passages and the plug serve as a drain means as will hereinafter more fully appear.

An enclosure means is indicated generally by refereence numeral and is of a transparent material such as glass or plastic and similar substances. The mate rial should be such that it can withstand sudden temperature drops of 100 F. from a maximum of 250 F. without damage. The material should also be able to withstand 250 p.s.i. internal pressure for one minute without distortion. In a typical example, the material of the enclosure means 40 may comprise tempered Pyrex, the upper portion of which fits about the depending flange 12 of the body means 10. Th outer surface of depending flange 12 is provided with a circumferentially extending groove 42 within which is disposed a conventional O-ring seal 43. It is apparent that seal 4-3 will serve to provide a liquidtight sealing engagement between the upper portion of the enclosure means and the body means.

The lower wall portion of the enclosure means 46 is provided With a central opening 4-4- which is adapted to fit snugly about the lower portion 15 of the central depending portion of the body means. Portion 15 of the body means is provided with a circumferentially extending groove within which is seated an O-ring seal as which is adapted to cooperate with the central opening 44 in the enclosure means to provide a fluid-tight seal between the lower portion of the enclosure means and portion 15 of the body means.

The enclosure means cooperates with the body means to define an enclosed cavity 48 within which is disposed a removable filter cartridge indicated generally by reference numeral 54). Filter cartridge 50 includes a central perforated tubular member 51 having a plurality of spaced openings 51' formed therethrough. A pair of end wall portions 52 and 53 are connected to opposite ends of the central tubular member 51, all of members 51, 52. and 53 being of a rigid construction and being of a metallic nature for example.

A filter element 55 is interposed between the opposite end wall portions 52 and 53 and in surrounding relationship to the central tubular portion 51. Filter element 55 may comprise a conventional pleated paper filter element which may be treated with silicone or a similar substance so as to be hydrophobic. It will be noted that the end Wall portions 52. and 53 are provided with lip portions at the peripheries thereof indicated by reference numerals 52 and 53' respectively for retaining the filter element in operative position. Lip portion 53' may be provided with spaced grooves indicated by reference numeral 55 for permitting liquid in the lower portion of the filter element to drain outwardly into the bottom of the container.

The upper end wall portion 52 is provided with a central opening within which is disposed a suitable sealing gasket 57 which fits snugly about the outer surface of the depending central portion 13 of the body means. In a similar manner, the lower wall portion 53 is provided with a central opening which receives a gasket 58 which also provides a seal with the outer surface of the depending central portion 13 of the body means.

In order to allow liquid to drain downwardly into the bottom portion of the enclosure means 40, the bottom portion of the enclosure means is illustrated as being provided with a plurality of spaced ridges 59 providing channels therebetween through which the liquid may drain downwardly. It is apparent that any suitable construction may be utilized for permitting such drainage and alternatively either the bottom portion of the enclosure means or the lower end wall portion of the filter cartridge may be provided with suitable ridges or bumps and the like so as to provide a space for the liquid to drain downwardly into the lowermost portion of the enclosure means. An opening 60 is formed through the lowermost portion 15 of the depending central portion of the body means, and a conventional padlock 62 or any other similar locking device may be utilized in combination with this opening for rendering the device tamper-proof. As illustrated, the shackle d3 of the padlock 62 extends through openings 6d, and obviously, the padlock may then be locked. The uppermost portion of shackle 63 is adapted to engage the under surface 65 of the enclosure means 48 thereby retaining the enclosure means in operative position as illustrated, and further preventing unauthorized removal of the enclosure means to thereby render the device tamper-proof.

it is evident that the device may be drained from time to time as desired simply by removing the plug 35, and when it is desired to change the filter cartridge, tne padlock may be removed whereupon the enclosure means 48 may simply be slid downwardly so as to enable the removal of the filter cartridge by removal as by sliding or"? of the central depending portions 13. It is then merely necessary to replace the filter cartridge and the enclosure means whereupon the locking device can be reinserted in its operative locking position.

in order to render the arrangement absolutely tamperproof, the filter apparatus Will be suspended in a vertical position as shown with the locking means disposed at the bottom of the filter apparatus. Also in such a case there will be no air bleed provided in the device itself so that gasoline can not be removed from the apparatus simply by removing the drain plug 35. In this connection, it will be noted that it is not possible when the device is in inoperative locked position to provide an air bleed for the filter apparatus by operating the gasoline discharge nozzle since this nozzle will be normally locked in the pump when the apparatus is desired to be in its tamper-proof condition. Accordingly, it will be impossrble to remove gasoline from the device when so locked as when no attendant is on duty.

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, a modified form of the invention is illustrated wherein the body means 10' is substantially identical with the body means ll) previously described with the exception that the peripheral flange 12 has been replaced by peripheral flange 7t) and at the bottom of the depending portion 13', the peripheral groove 45 as shown in FIG. 2 has been eliminated and furthermore the lowermost portion of part 13 as illustrated in FIG. 4 is provided with an external thread 71. In all other respects, however, the body means 16' shown in FIG. 4 is identical with the body means 10 illustrated in P16. 2. Accordingly, portions of the body means 10' which are similar to those of the body means shown in PEG. 2 have been given the same reference numerals primed.

A not '75 is provided with a central threaded opening which is threaded on the external thread 71 of the depending portion 13', and the upper central portion of the nut is tapered so as to provide a seat for an O-ring gasket 77. When the nut 75 is threaded upwardly, it is apparent that the sealing gasket 77 will be tightly engaged with the lower portion of the enclosure means do which is substantially identical with the enclosure means to previously described and furthermore the sealing gasket 77 will be urged into contact with the outer surface of the lower portion of the central depending portion of the body means so as to provide an eifective fluid-tight seal.

it will be noted that the upper portion 79 of the enclosure means so fits within the depending flange portion '70 of the body means, and upon threading the nut member '75 upwardly, the enclosure means Will be urged upwardly so as to compress an annular gasket member 8i? between the upper edge of enclosure means 40 and the under surface of the body means thereby ensuring that an etfective liquid-tight seal will be provided at this portion.

A filter means 58' identical with the filter means 5% previously described is disposed within the cavity defined between enclosure means 49 and body means 1%, and the filter cartridge 50' cooperates in the same manner as the filter cartridge 59 as will be well understood.

It will be noted that a plurality of spaced ridges 59' are provided at the bottom portion of the enclosure means 40 to provide spaces through which the liquid may drain downwardly into the lowermost portion of the enclosure means.

The lowermost portion of the central depending portion 13' is provided with an opening 60 similar to opening 60 previously described which extends completely therethrough. A locking device 62' such as a padlock may be employed in the same manner as previously described with the shackle portion 63 thereof extending through the opening 6t). In the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, nut member is provided with one or more openings which are adapted to be aligned with the opening 68' in the body means, and upon threading the nut member 75 into operative position as shown, the shackle portion 63' is then inserted through the aligned openings in the body means and the nut member so as to lock the nut member in position. In this manner, the device is obviously rendered substantially tamper-proof.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, a still further modified form of the invention is illustrated incorporating a body means 10" which is quite similar to the body means 10. The inlet means 17" and 18" and the outlet means 22" and 23" correspond with the inlet portions 17', I8 and outlet portions 22' and 23' as shown in FIG. 4. The depending central portion 13" corresponds to the depending portion 13' of FIG. 4, and flange 7%" corresponds to the flange 70 as shown in FIG. 4.

Several changes have been made in the construction of the body means as compared to that shown in FIG. 4. In the body means shown in FIG. 5, the plug 26 has been eliminated, and a solid body portion 31 replaces the body means. This is accomplished by forming the die utilized in the impact extrusion process slightly differently. As a result, the opposite end portion or the outermost end portion of the depending portion 13" is modified so as to be open at the far end thereof whereby portion 13 is tubular.

The outer end portion of depending portion 13" is provided with internal threads indicated by reference numeral 82, and a pair of diametrically opposite drilled openings 83 may be provided through the walls of portion 13".

A bolt member indicated by reference numeral 85 is provided with an externally threaded shank portion 36 which is threaded within the internal threads 82 provided in depending portion 13" of the body means. Shank portion 86 is provided with a diametrically extending passage 87 which is adapted to be aligned with the pas sages 83 formed in body portion 13". A vertically extending passage 33 is in communication with a medial portion of passage 87, and the lower portion of passage 88 is threaded to receive a plug member 90. It is apparcut that the openings 83 and passages 87, 88, along with plug 90 provide a drain means for selectively draining liquid from the lower portion of the enclosure means 40" when desired.

The enlarged head portion of bolt 35 is provided with an annular groove 9t) formed in the upper surface thereof which receives an O-ring 91 so as to provide a fluidtight seal with the enclosure means 46''. The outer periphery of the enlarged head of bolt member 85 is formed so as to be a smooth cylindrical surface whereby it will be difiicult if not impossible to remove the bolt member once the bolt member has been threaded into its operative position as shown. To permit removal of the bolt member, the enlarged head is provided with a pair of recesses 95 which are adapted to be engaged by a spanner wrench or a similar tool so that the bolt member can be readily removed when it is desired to do so by the utilization of a special tool provided for such purpose.

A filter cartridge 50" is disposed within the cavity defined between enclosure means 49" and the body means it)", and a gasket 86" is provided between the upper surface of the enclosure means and the under surface of the body means to provide a fluid-tight seal at this location. A plurality of spaced ridges 5 support the lower end of the filter cartridge 50" and provide spaces through which the liquid may drain downwardly into the lowermost portion of the enclosure means.

It will be apparent that in each of the modifications of the invention, the liquid will enter through one of the inlet means while the other of the inlet means will be suitably blocked as by inserting a plug therewithin. The liquid will then flow downwardly and through the filter means and thence upwardly through the hollow depending central tubular portion and outwardly through one of the outlet means, the other outlet means being suitably blocked as by a plug means.

In each case, means is provided at the outer end of the depending central portion of the body means for engaging and maintaining the enclosure means in its operative sealing relationship. Additionally, means is provided for preventing unauthorized removal of the enclosure means so as to render the device substantially tamperproof. It will be noted in this connection that the means for preventing unauthorized removal may take the form of a conventional locking means such as a padlock or the like or on the other hand may incorporate an arrangement such as shown in FIG. 5 wherein the members can only be removed by employing a special tool.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided new and novel filter apparatus of the replaceable cartridge type which is particularly adapted for use with gasoline pumps as a final filtering means which provides a visible indication to a customer of the gasoline passing through the filter apparatus. The device utilizes a minimum of components and is substantially tamper-proof.

The necessity of providing a long screw as. is usually required for retaining these types of filter arrangements in position is eliminated, and furthermore, the components are readily visible for mounting and disassembling the apparatus.

The filter apparatus is quite simple in construction, is inexpensive, and yet is quite sturdy, efficient and reliable in use.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. A tamper-proof transparent filter for use with a gasoline dispensing pump or the like comprising a body having an inlet and an outlet, a downwardly extending flange adjacent an outer portion of the body, a downwardly extending elongated central portion on the body, the central portion being hollow throughout substantially the full length thereof and having a solid end portion, the hollow part of the central portion being in connection with the outlet, the central portion having openings therein leading to the hollow part, the solid end portion having radial openings therein and a vertical passageway extending from the radial openings to the end of the solid portion, one end of the passageway communicating with the radial openings and the other end communicating at the end of the solid portion, removable means in the other end of the passageway to close the passageway, a filter element surrounding the central portion and extending substantially the full length of the hollow part, the filter element having a foraminous central tube spaced from the central portion, end caps on each end of the filter element, sealing means between the end caps and the central portion to seal the filter element to the central portion beyond the openings in the hollow part, a transparent bowl having an open top and a bottom portion, the open top engaging the body adjacent the flange, sealing means sealing the bowl to the body, the bowl being longer than the filter element and surrounding the element but being outwardly spaced therefrom, the bottom portion having an opening therein which opening receives the solid portion of the central portion, the bottom portion of the bowl having an inner surface, the inner surface being below a portion of the radial openings of the solid portion of the central portion so that dirt will settle into the radial openings, and locking means engaging the solid portion of the central portion and the bottom portion of the bowl to lock the bowl to the body and render the same tamper-proof.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the solid portion of the central portion has a lateral passageway extending therethrough and the locking means comprises a padlock having a shackle extending through the lateral passageway and engaging the bottom portion of the bowl.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the solid portion of the central portion is provided with threads and the locking means comprises a threaded member having recessed means formed thereon.

4. The structure as defined by claim 1, wherein one of the end caps of the filter element has a surface thereon engaging the inner surface of the bottom portion of the bowl and spacing means on one of the surfaces to maintain the filter element spaced from the bottom portion to allow fiow of the gasoline therebetween.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 4, wherein the spacing means comprises ribs integrally formed on the inner surface of the "bottom portion of the bowl, the ribs being engaged by the surface of said one of the end caps.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 24,509 7/1958 Buckman 210-457 X 1,705,019 3/1929 Jones 210443 2,180,633 11/1939 Holt 85-45 2,215,053 9/1940 Reese 7057 2,359,475 10/1944 Gauthier 2l0440 X 2,630,228 3/1953 Wright et al 210--443 X 3,060,785 10/1962 Corlett et a1 8545 X FOREIGN PATENTS 783,203 4/ 1935 France.

REUBEN FRIEDMAN, Primary Examiner.

HERBERT L. MARTIN, Examiner.

1'. DE CESARE, Assistant Examiner. 

